Health check: Will all Coast footy clubs survive?

The coronavirus has already shut down some footy clubs across the nation - what does it mean for the Gold Coast?

RUGBY League Gold Coast chairman Peter Daley has declared all 16 local clubs will survive the coronavirus crisis – and his organisation will pitch in with funding to make sure they do.

While all the talk has been about the financial impact on the NRL during the global lockdown, it’s those at the grassroots who will likely feel the pain by association.

There are question marks over if the QRL can sustain the current level of funding to the RLGC, meaning the 16 clubs stretching from Ormeau to Beaudesert to Coolangatta are in the firing line.

In a scary forecast for many volunteer-run organisations, sporting clubs across the country have been suffering from the economic slowdown, with some already closing their doors permanently.

Daley, though, insists that doomsday scenario won’t hit Gold Coast footy.

Ormeau Shearers and Currumbin Eagles. Picture: Mike Batterham

“We ring or email our clubs once a week and we don’t believe we’re going to lose any clubs,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say our clubs are financially well-off but they are all stable.

“Obviously the QRL aren’t going to give as much as they did because we’re all flat-out.

“We’ve just got to work within our budgets – this has probably put us back six or seven years but we’re hopeful that we have the funds to survive.”

TITAN REACT TO NRL RETURN

Daley cites the fact Runaway Bay is the only club that leans on leagues club funding as proof that the code won’t be crippled on the Coast.

“We don’t rely on leagues clubs at those junior clubs,” he said.

“And while clubs might have a power bill at the moment (at all the fields), there’s no light bill because no one is training.

“And there won’t be any fridges on, there’s none of that, so their costs are minimal.

“A couple of clubs might run short – when we get to next year and they want some gear they might not have the funds – so we as a league, yes, we’d look to help them out for two months until they get sign-on fees coming through.”

Despite concerns of senior players and parents over paid fees, Daley is staunch in his view on the code.

WHY NSW IS GOING BACK BEFORE QLD

“I don’t think we’ll lose any numbers; if they leave rugby league to go to soccer, well, soccer is in the same boat as we are,” he said.

“I personally don’t think any of these codes will lose numbers. Sure, Aussie rules and soccer might also have short seasons but people will want to play sport.”

BEARS’ EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE AFTER SHOCK DEATH